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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to qualifications of special judges. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 151.003, Civil Practice and Remedies |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 151.003. QUALIFICATIONS OF JUDGE. The special judge |
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must be a retired or former district court, statutory county court, |
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statutory probate court, or appellate court judge who: |
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(1) has served as a judge for at least four years in a |
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district court, statutory county court, statutory probate court, or |
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appellate court; |
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(2) has developed substantial experience in the |
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judge's [his] area of specialty; |
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(3) has not been removed from office or resigned while |
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under investigation for discipline or removal; and |
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(4) annually demonstrates completion [that he has
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completed] in the past calendar year of at least five days of |
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continuing legal education in courses approved by the state bar or |
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the supreme court. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies only to a referral of a case to a |
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special judge under Chapter 151, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, |
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made on or after the effective date of this Act. A referral made |
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before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law |
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applicable to the referral immediately before the effective date of |
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this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |